Winter is on its way out and the warm days of Spring are on the horizon. Pack your bags and indulge in one of these 10 great ways to make the most of that oh-so-welcome South African sunshine:
Fancy a dose of the great outdoors without worrying about where to camp, how to cook dinner and whether your tent leaks? Say hello to “slackpacking”, where your bags are portaged between overnight stops and a warm dinner and comfy bed await tired legs.
The Cederberg Heritage Routes offer a wonderful glimpse of far-flung mountain scenery, while the Green Mountain Eco-Route through the Elgin Valley blends fynbos with fine-wine tastings along the way.
Further east consider the wonderful Strandloper Trail near Mossel Bay, or tackle the 85-kilometre Wild Coast Walk from Kob Inn to Cintsa.
Speaking of the Wild Coast … now is the perfect time to explore this scenic corner of the country, with mild temperatures and dry days defining the “secret season” of Spring.
Fly into Durban to tackle the northern section beyond Port Edward, where the Mkambathi and Silaka nature reserves offer some of the best coastal scenery. With family in tow, head south via East London to the long lazy beaches of Cintsa, Haga-Haga and Morgan Bay.
Stand-up Paddleboarding (SUP) is the latest sport to hit the waves of Mzansi, but before you tackle the peeling left-handers at Cape Town’s Long Beach or paddle out at Durban’s New Pier, best you hone your skills in calmer waters.
In the Mother City the placid canals of the V&A Waterfront precinct are ideal for learning the basics. SUP Cape Town has a clubhouse on the canals that offers rentals and introductory lessons. If you have a little time in the city they’ll even arrange long-term board rental. Rentals and lessons are also offered at Intaka Island, a wetland meandering through the Century City and Canal Walk development. In Durban, look for Ocean Riders on Addington Beach for top-notch lessons and board rentals.
Spring on the West Coast means just one thing: flower time! Each year the hills come alive with colour as indigenous daisies, succulents and bulbs burst into life and transform the landscape into a technicolour carpet.
The best displays are in Namaqualand, with the fields around Kamieskroon and the Skilpad section of the Namaqua National Park always putting on a show. The fields around Vanrhynsdorp and Nieuwoudtville are also superb, with charming country B&Bs to turn it into a memorable weekend away. For a day trip, discover the Postberg section of the West Coast National Park, just an hour’s drive out of Cape Town. The Tienie Versfeld Wildflower Reserve outside Darling is also well worth a visit.
Spring in the Cape sees hundreds of southern right whales arrive on their annual holiday from Antarctica, making use of the warm waters and calm coves to calve. For whale watching without the crowds head for the rustic-luxe chalets of the De Hoop Nature Reserve.
There’s also wonderful whale watching to be had from the beaches of Struisbaai and the rocky shores of Cape Agulhas, while the steep cliffs of De Kelders, Gansbaai and Hermanus often offer up views of the blubbery visitors just metres from shore. Add a little culture to your cetaceans by booking your trip to coincide with the annual Hermanus Whale Festival in September.
While the summer rains transform the Lowveld into a lush green wonderland, safari aficionados argue spring is the ideal time to book a safari. You’ll avoid the searing heat of summer but benefit from the warming days. And, best of all, the lack of rain over the winter means the vegetation is sparse and the land is dry.
That means better game viewing from the vehicle, and wildlife flocking to waterholes and perennial rivers. Your choice of lodge depends on the depths of your pockets – ask your Sure Travel consultant for recommendations, or browse through options on www.suretravel.co.za.
Our agents can help you plan your next local South African "staycation". Contact us for a quote, or call +27 (0)861 47 48 49.
